Former Scotland Yard commander John O’Connor suggested the Royal Family lighten the load for taxpayers and contribute some money themselves.

He said it would cost the Metropolitan Police a lot when they are ‘strapped for cash’ and said local police in Africa would have to fork out considerable amounts too.

‘Southern Africa is not safe by any means and Islamic State have strongholds across the continent,’ he added.

Prince Harry in Mozambique with a member of landmine charity HALO Trust (Picture: Getty Images)

Both Harry and Meghan have visited Africa several times (Picture: World Vision Canada)

Prince Harry poses at a children’s home in Lesotho (Picture: Getty Images)

‘It’s only right that the Royal family themselves contribute towards the security costs of protecting Harry and Meghan while they are there.’

The proposals for Harry and Meghan’s move are said to have been drawn up by Sir David Manning, the former British ambassador to the US and Lord Geidt, the Queen’s former private secretary.

A decision on where they would be based for the ambassadorial role would not be decided until 2020.

Prince Harry has already forged a connection with Africa, having spent his 2004 gap year in Lesotho and co-founded the Sentebale charity for children in Malawi, Lesotho and Botswana in 2006, Mail Online reports.

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The Duke and Duchess are also said to have travelled to Botswana before their wedding.

It is thought the it wont be until 2020 before a location for the couple is chosen (Picture: WireImage)

Meghan served as Global Ambassador for children’s charity World Vision from 2016-17 and travelled to Rwanda where she taught students to paint with watercolours, using water from a newly installed pipeline in their community.

Buckingham Palace said: ‘Any future plans for the Duke and Duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles.’